The senior associate justice on North Carolina's Supreme Court says he'll run for the chief justice's post in next year's statewide election.

Mark Martin wrote supporters this week about his intentions. Current Chief Justice Sarah Parker will have to step down from the court as she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 72 in August 2014.

The 50-year-old Martin has been on the Supreme Court since 1998 and previously served on the Court of Appeals and as a Pitt County Superior Court judge. Martin says all five living former chief justices endorse his candidacy.

Appellate court races are officially nonpartisan. Martin is a registered Republican. Parker is a Democrat. Republicans currently have a 4-3 advantage on the Supreme Court.